First Flight! (Weyrling lesson)

[4horseshowgirl4]

Poor F'del! I hope he feels better soon!

[/color] Oveth crooned as he and His left the infirmary and made their way over to the Weyrling Barracks. "Yes, poor man, but stomach bugs usually don't last long. He should be better soon!" B'nyur replied, swinging up on Oveth's back before the Blue glided smoothly to the Barracks. "Oveth, will you bespeak them, please, and let them know it's time for their first flying lesson?"

Hello, Weyrling dragons!"[/color] Oveth said cheerfully. I am Oveth, of B'nyur, and we will be running your lesson today! Altith's is sick, sadly. But, get out here as soon as you can, because we're learning how to fly today![/color] With a prompt from B'nyur, Oveth added, Oh, and please bring the riding straps you've learned to make. Mine can fix broken bones but it's better if yours just stay on your back![/color]

B'nyur gave everyone time to hurry outside, giving a careful check of their riding straps before sending them over by Oveth. F'del was a good teacher-- obviously the Weyrlings had spent many lessons perfecting their straps. This was good, as B'nyur didn't want anyone to be left out. When everyone was gathered by Oveth, he strode over there himself to address the class.

"I'm B'nyur, as many of you know, the Weyr's Dragonhealer. As yours have probably told you, F'del has a rather serious stomach bug, but I know you don't want your first flight to be delayed even a day, so I'll guide you through this lesson. You all have been waiting nine long months to fly, and I can be certain that you all have been working hard. Flying is the best feeling in the world, but it's strenous on both you and your dragon the first few times you do it. Many of you have been swimming with your dragons, and they've already taken their first flights by themselves. I'm glad to see that I see no cracked or dull hides, and I haven't seen too many cases of your babies overstuffing themselves."

"Now, put on your riding straps. I'll be around to make sure they're on properly, as well as to make sure your dragon appears fit enough to carry you in flight." He gave them a moment to work before walking among them, occasionally giving a small tip here or there, but mostly approving their work. "Good, everybody. Now, before you get on, I'd like your dragons to fly a lap around the lake, just so I can see their progress and make sure they're stable enough in the air to carry you." {Send them off, Oveth, in order of rank so no one is offended. Callistath, Detritath, Valleth...}

Young Queen Callistath, you first, please![/color] Oveth chirped to the Gold that was now his size. Detritath... Valleth... Mesreath... Doppelith... Zucherroth... Esketh... Teccaracath... Ripariath... Toppeth... Eccolath... Rhyolith... Gneith... Succoth... Vediameth... Brecciaeth... Oorth... Zyyenikkichikith... Coath... Baserath... Nektuth... Seiseth... and you're the caboose, Dellauouth![/color]

Ooc: You will have until Wednesday night to reply before the lesson moves on.

Avalle, weyrling of gold Callistath
K'ber, weyrling of iron Detritath
L'ven, weyrling of bronze Valleth
Durian, weyrling of brown Mesreath
F'let, weyrling of purple Doppelith
Animatamora, weyrling of white Zucherroth
Kyrillion, weyrling of blue Ripariath
G'can, weyrling of blue Tecarracath
Quinslie, weyrling of blue Esketh
Sol, weyrling of cyan Eccolath
O'ris, weyrling of cyan Rhyolith
Meta, weyrling of cyan Topeth
Lynx, weyrling of green Gneith
Kailea, weyrling of green Succoth
R'ori, weyrling of green Vediameth
T'zar, weyrling of green Brecciaeth
Edwa, weyrling of pink Baserath
I'nar, weyrling of pink Coath
A'nar, weyrling of pink Zyyenikkichikith
Pratyba, weyrling of pink Oorth
Chelo, weyrling of black Seiseth
K'mar, weyrling of black Nektuth
Felicia, weyrling of black Dellauouth
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[Admin]

Can you hear it calling?
Can you feel it in your soul?
Can you trust this longing?
And take control.

Lesson now, Mine. The healer is in charge. Altith's is sick. You are learning how to fly. I already know how; iron Detritath told his flatly. K'ber didn't argue. He shrugged on a lined jacket and pulled on his boots, then fell in step with his lifemate, hoisting riding straps over one of his shoulders. There, striding beside the half-grown King, who was beginning to feel cramped even in the tall halls of the barrack, he was confident. Quiet still, yes, but assured and calm. Without a word, he held out the leather harness he had labored hours on for B'nyur to inspect. He smiled faintly when it was passed for safety. He and Detritath were the first to settle by Oveth, who the iron was only slightly smaller than at nine months

At the cue for them to do so, the brunette clipped and snapped the straps into place with deft, callused fingers. They'd been over how to do that time and time again. He slipped over his dragon's smooth back and reached under, so that everything was secure. Detritath held up a leg when it was required, ducked down when it was necessary, and was patient through the entire thing. Neither of them spoke a word. The pleasure was in the doing, and in not having B'nyur telling them they did it all wrong or to hurry up. They stood at attention, in their separate ways, when the healer begin to speak to the entire class again.

Detritath began to stretch his wings and shoulders. His name was called out by Oveth. His rider stepped back. He surged skyward, legs flexing to push his bulk free of the ground and wings grabbing for air to keep him from falling. All of Pern rushed away from him, and he joined the only other who had gotten into the sky ahead of him, Callistath. He flew well to the side of her, free of catching any of the wake she would leave, propelling himself on his own power. Up, down, up, down, his wings beat the air in perfect time; each stroke was carefully thought out by him. Flying was not exhilarating. It offered freedom, and made one have to think, but it didn't have a feeling. It was easy and natural, so it was enjoyable.

The lake was not big, less than two miles around. It was an easy flight for him. His landing, after a moment of hovering to watch Callistath settle, was not so smooth. He dove down, as close as he thought he could, and then dropped like a stone. He landed with a thud and skittered for a few steps, claws digging into the ground to keep himself from falling over or tumbling onto his head. After a moment, he came to a complete stop, and straightened with dignity. That was very well done; K'ber told his dragon as the iron strode towards him. Detritath shot him a look, normally blue eyes touched with orange for irritation. The weyrling just shrugged back at him, to say he thought it was true. They fell back to silence.

All your worries, leave them somewhere else,
Find a dream you can follow,
Reach for something, when there's nothing left,
And the world's feeling hollow.

[4horseshowgirl4]

"This isn't fair, Oorth!" Pratyba yelled, frustrated, at the energetic Pink dragon in front of her, lowered to the ground and ready to run, a boot clasped possessively in her mouth. "You have twice as many legs as I do, you can fly, and you're twice my size now!" Indeed, Oorth could no longer be called a dragonet, even though she was still relatively small, being a Pink and a little one at that. She had put on muscle since her birth, especially around her shoulders. Compared to the still-chubby, short human beside her, there was little doubt of who could run faster. Oorth took no notice of that fact, and she spun and darted off, taking the boot with her.

Pratyba laughed and set off after the dragon, dashing along at a lopsided gait, with only one boot on. Oorth was as childlike and playful as she had been the day she hatched, and neither she nor Pratyba felt any need to 'grow up.' They charged along the lake shore, Oorth rumbling happily, Pratyba cheerfully hurling a string of curses at her dragon. Oorth paused for a moment, debating whether or not to jump in the lake and soaking the boot. That moment of hesitation let Pratyba catch up, and she pounced on the dragon, grabbing the base of her wing. When Oorth's head whipped around in surprise, Pratyba snatched the boot from her grasp. "Haha! I'll take that, thank you very much!"

She kept her grip on Oorth firm, expecting the dragon to dash off to shake her off or try to get the boot back, but Oorth wasn't paying attention to their game at the moment. "What is it?" It's Oveth! He says that Altith's is sick, so he and His are running our lesson! You're learning how to FLY with us!

[/color] Pratyba smiled widely, wrapping her arms around Oorth's neck. "Awesome! I've been waiting for this day for Turns!" We've only been together for nine months, silly![/color] Oorth taunted, shaking free of Pratyba's grasp and trotting happily towards Oveth. "Technicalities!" Pratyba mocked scorn, keeping stride with Hers.

Oh, you need your straps, Oveth said![/color] Oorth added, giving Pratyba a nudge with her nose, before galloping towards the other dragons. Pratyba rolled her eyes before sprinting back to the barracks to grab the straps. Thankfully, because Oorth was so little, they weren't nearly as long or heavy as the others'. While Weyrlinghood hadn't wrought any change on her physique-- Pratyba was as stout and plump as ever-- she found that chasing after Oorth all the time had made her faster and stronger. She was no longer out of breath after racing Sol to the kitchens.

"Hello, B'nyur!" she called cheerfully to their stand-in Weyrlingmaster. She had seen plenty of him these last nine months, as she and Oorth were always getting themselves scratched up. It was nothing very serious, thankfully, but had necessitated a bandage for her and some redwort as well for Oorth, to make sure no infection set in. She strode over to Oorth and began to put on the straps, thankful that Oorth was still so small that everything could be fastened with both of her feet firmly on the ground, unlike K'ber, whose King was now so big he had to slide over his back. Pratyba was quite sure she could not have done the same motion with such grace; it was more likely that she would have landed face-first on the stone ground below. Smiling wryly and chuckling, she finished fastening the straps, grinning when B'nyur found it up to his standards.

Oorth chirped happily when Oveth called her name, immediately leaping into the air and flapping furiously and clumsily to gain height. Then, suddenly, her muscles locked into rhythm, and she shot after the Greens. Having energy to burn, as always, she flew in an erratic path, up and down, side to side, impatient with the slow pace the others were setting, but not so bold as to shoot ahead. Pratyba watched her, so clearly enjoying herself, with longing, but at least she would join Hers in the air within a few moments.

At the end of the lap, Oorth was tiring enough that she didn't feel an unsuppressable need to dart ahead of everyone. She didn't really know how to hover yet, so she pulled off to the side a little bit and slowed her flapping so she sank (while still moving forward), and then ceased the motion entirely, dropping the last few feet to the ground and then somersaulting rather gracefully. She jumped to her feet, shook her wings out, and saunted triumphantly over to Pratyba. "Bravo!" she said, laughing and rubbing Oorth's eye ridges, "But I think you need to show B'nyur you can land properly, or he'll never let me get on your back!" Well, fine then! Oorth said in her chipper voice, jumping back into the air, flying a few dragonlengths, and making her jolting landing again, this time backwinging as her feet touched the ground to prevent her momentum from taking her through another dramatic and quite fun somersault. See! I can do it![/color]
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[kyrillion]

What is it, Rip? Kyrillion paused mid-sentence, raising her head to regard her dragon curiously. She had been in the middle of composing a letter to her grandfather, but she had felt Ripariath's distraction immediately, and she recognized the far-away look in his eyes. After a moment, the blue stood and took a moment to stretch, paying extra attention to his wings and shoulders. Eventually, he said,

Oveth's is taking over the lesson for today. You will learn to fly with me![/color] Instantly, Kyril felt a thrill of excitement travel through her. She had waited a long time for this, and even though Ripariath had been practicing flying on his own, he had made it clear he was eager for her to join him. Throwing down her pen, she reached for her jacket and boots, wasting no time getting ready. Ripariath crossed the room to retrieve the riding straps that His had worked so hard on (working leather was nothing like working metal), and gently passed them to her when she was ready.

Why didn't you say so earlier? Her tone was light and only mock-scolding, and Ripariath nudged her playfully in the shoulder with his nose. He was big enough, now, that his doing so threw her just a bit off-balance, but not enough to knock her over. You said B'nyur is taking over the lesson? It will be nice to see him again, she commented on her way out the door, remembering the metal contraption she'd helped the healer build... goodness, months ago, now. She wondered if it had helped keep his herb garden healthy through the winter, after all?
Perhaps you can ask him?[/color] Though she meant to, she figured it could wait until after the lesson - already, there were several weyrlings gathered.

She nodded a polite greeting to B'nyur as she and Ripariath fell into line, and the blue trilled a friendly Hello![/color] to Oveth. She cast around, then, for any familiar faces. They were all familiar, of course - she'd been having classes with the same people for months, now. Still, some were more familiar than others. She spotted K'ber and Detritath almost immediately and nodded another greeting to them, and although she looked for Lynx she couldn't quite spot her in the crowd.

At the weyrhealer's command, she turned to Ripariath and began fitting the riding straps on him. She worked deftly, and with her characteristic determination and attention to detail, despite the excitement that she was working to conceal. Soon enough, the blue was ready, and waited patiently for his name to be called so that he could fly a warm-up lap around the lake.

When it was his turn, his rider backed up to give him room, and he unfolded his wings before launching into the air. Though he was fair-sized, for a blue, he wasn't nearly so stocky as many of that color where. As such, he didn't have much difficulty finding a steady rhythm, and soon enough he was gracefully winging into line behind Teccaracath. Swimming with Gneith and Detritath had served him well, and it wasn't until he'd finished his loop and was preparing to land before he had any real trouble. Eyes whirling in concentration, he backwinged a few times to try and steady himself, but nevertheless dropped the last few feet to the ground, the impact somewhat jarring. His momentum carried him forwards for a few clumsy steps, but he soon regained his balance, and turned to watch as the rest of his clutchmates circled around the lake. He could feel that his rider was proud of him, and even of his clumsy landing; no words were necessary between them. He could hardly wait until they were able to fly together.[/size]

[Nia]

Avalle wasn't really expecting to do anything to do. If something came up, Callistath would let her know, so the brunette was laying out by the lake, happily leaning against her (no huge) dragon. It felt kind of weird. Callistath was... giant. She'd grown so much and she wasn't even close to full-grown yet! She couldn't walk around the Weyr with Avalle anymore, and that made her feel kind of lonely, but Callistath would keep up a constant conversation with her, though now it had less and less rebukes about Avalle's posture or the way she spread her feet outwards when she walked. If that was because she wasn't there to see or because Avalle had already fixed those things she didn't know, and frankly, she didn't really want to know.

They laid together for a while, Avalle dozing off, comfortable against Callistath's warm body. Mine,

[/i] Callistath's voice spoke softly in her mind, We are having a lesson today, Oveth because Altith's is sick.[/i] Avalle sat up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. Come, mine, we must not be late.[/i] With that, Callistath stood up, leaving her rider to shakily stand on her own. Dusting dirt off her pants, Avalle yawned and made her way back to her room in the Weyrling Barracks.

After gathering her riding equiptment, Avalle hurried to rush out of the Barracks to get to the lesson. ... which was by the lake, where they had just been. Out of breath, Avalle stopped a little ways away from the group to catch her breath, because Callistath felt that the future Jr. Weyrwoman should not be arriving at the lesson out of breath and sweaty. Feeling a little embarrassed as she arrived after most of the others had already gathered, she tried to laugh it off with a sort of smile and wave as she approached. Not that anyone cared or anything. You must not think like that,[/i] Callistath scolded and walked with a dignified pace.

Arriving, Avalle gave a small nod and wave of greeting to their stand-in Weyrling Master, and Callistath greeted Oveth calmly. While they were late, they hadn't missed Oveth's explanation and Avalle thanked Faranth that they managed to get there with some decent time to spare. They would have completely messed up the line. It is okay for a lady to be... fashionably late sometimes, Mine,[/i] Callistath purred in her mind with a tone that Avalle couldn't recognize, until she realized that her dragon had been making a joke. Hey, don't tease me. Just go fly! she pouted and Callistath laughed a bit in their mind and took off.

Being first was great. She got the sky all to herself for at least a few seconds before Detritath joined her. But he wasn't close enough for her to be bothered and to her it looked like the sky ahead was empty and open just for her. The Gold flapped her wings with a steady grace, she'd practiced these motions with Kalith in their private lessons, she was well-practiced in flying with dignanity and posure. It felt like normal, natural motions to her, and the flight around the lake didn't give her too much of a problem. It was an easy, short flight. Nothing to it.

Landing, however, was something different. Callistath's size was her worst factor in landing right now, she still felt awkward on her limbs and felt like she hadn't quite grown into her body yet. Avalle's mental encouragements did help her though, and she managed to land shakily, but quite graceful for one her size. Her claws dug deep into the ground and stopped her from skidding away or falling on her face, which would be extremely embarrassing for her and Hers. Callistath felt proud. You should, that was great! Avalle mentally cheered, pumping her fist in the air excitedly at the rather awkward, but stationary landing. Mine, don't do that, it isn't... proper,[/i] Callistath said, but her voice was tinted with amusement rather than seriousness.

-----------------

R'ori was sleeping. Plain and simple, he was knocked out cold on the cot in his room he shared with... er... someone. R'ori didn't think that he was ever actually conscious in his room, so he'd never even interacted with his roommate except for maybe the day they'd first gotten room assignments. Whatever, he didn't particularly care. R'ori had friends, you know, good friends (but nothing more! ... yeah, still) and he didn't need to talk to his roommate. So they slept togeth- so they shared a room, didn't matter to him. As long as he kept his clothes to one side of the room R'ori didn't care.

Anyway... Vediameth was having trouble waking R'ori from his rock-like state. Mine?[/i] she started with her usual calm, head-stuck-in-the-clouds dreamy voice, lazily poking around in his unconscious. R'ori mine, you always do this,[/i] she giggled airily, but now it is serious. We have a lesson, you are going to fly with me,[/i] she tried again, this time moving a little towards him and poking him hard with her nose. R'ori swatted at her nose like she was a fly and rolled over. Mentally smirking with some rather obvious amusement, she grabbed the furs with her teeth and yanked them off Hers, resulting in R'ori, who wrapped himself up like a caterpiller in the furs, falling on the floor in a tangle.

"H-hey! Vediameth! It's not time to get up yet!" He whined, grabbing at the furs that she kept pulling away from him, "Not fair. What's so important that you had to-" Lessons, mine. Flying lessons,[/i] the Green said, But I suppose if you do not wish to fly with me we can just tell Oveth you have come down with an illness....[/i] she said dismissively, walking back towards her ledge. "Nonono wait wait!!" R'ori tripped over his own feet as he attempted to stop Vediameth, still half-asleep and talking outloud rather than using their mind-link. "Let me get ready, jeez!" He frantically searched around for his clothes... and the riding equipment, which was most likely buried under the pile of clothes on his floor.

It took less time than he thought to locate everything, so R'ori was out of his room a lot sooner than he thought he'd be. Vediameth was big now, but smaller than most of the other dragons. Not that she could walk through the Weyr with him anymore either, but she wasn't as huge as, say, Callistath. In fact, she probably wasn't going to get over Callistath's current size. But that's okay, he reassured her, not that Vediameth was ever bothered by it. She merely giggled. They arrived at the lesson pretty much on time, and stood waiting. R'ori couldn't locate F'let with all the people around, and felt a bit disappointed. Lessons were more fun with someone to talk to... but this lesson was important and a solitary one. He didn't need F'let right now.

Vediameth got in her place in "line", beind Succoth, whose rider she didn't think Hers had ever even talked to once. But that didn't matter, she waited with her fellow Greens, watching the others take off in front of her. Flying wasn't difficult for the Green, but landing... well, at least everyone else seemed to have trouble with landing too, so she didn't feel alone or embarrassed. It was a natural process of learning, was it not? Stretching her wings out, she took off after Succoth, her thin wings stretching wide in the air as she timed her flaps like the others. She had done this before of course, and flying was second nature to dragons.

Landing was a different story for poor Vediameth, and she actually hesitated a bit after Succoth had landed to gather herself mentally. She lowered herself slowly and then gradually picked up some speed until she was at a normal pace and landed... skidding painfully as she dug her claws into the ground to try and stop it. Her wings flailed uselessly until she stopped and managed to rest them properly. Um, that was good! R'ori said in response to her landing, and Vediameth giggled in a sort of "oh you" kind of way, You'll be with me the next time,[/i] she said with a mental smirk.[/blockquote][/size]

[4horseshowgirl4]

As usual, L'ven was hard at work; being a Weyrling did not exactly leave much time for leisure. L'ven didn't mind, though; he was happiest when he was busy. As of now, he was finishing oiling his newest pair of riding straps (Valleth was still growing out of them almost faster than L'ven could make them), which were still somewhat stiff, though now usable. He grabbed a towel to wipe the sweet-smelling oil off of his skin, smiling slightly. It was getting easier and easier to make these straps, with each pair looking more professional than the last. Still, L'ven would be glad when Valleth finally stopped growing and he could really spend time creating a perfectly-made set.

L'venMine, I'm bored. Let's go for a practice fly!

[/color] Valleth said suddenly, stepping carefully out of his string bed (it threatened to break whenever the large dragon moved suddenly in it) and nudging L'ven forcefully. L'ven nodded. He longed to join His in the sky, but it was almost as good to simply watch the powerful Bronze, His dragon, glide through the air, getting less awkward with every session. It wasn't hard to sit back, close his eyes, and share Valleth's joy. He had not been flying so long that the novelty had worn off.

L'ven was now dwarfed by the dragon, now the size of a big adult Green, but this only served to increase his awe in Impressing a creature so magnificent. It was still so amazing that he'd actually accomplished something of this caliber-- sharing the mind of a dragon, and caring for him as he matured. They entered the bright summer sunlight, and spotted Oveth. L'ven waved slightly in greeting, but he did not know the Dragonhealer well. Nevermind, Mine. We're having a lesson-- Altith's is sick, so Oveth's will be running it. You're learning how to fly with me![/color] Valleth's eyes whirled brightly with excitement, and L'ven could not conceal the vast grin on his face. He darted back to his room, hastily wiped the excess oil off of the new straps with the towel, and joined Valleth outside.

L'ven gave a small bow to their stand-in Weyrlingmaster, and Valleth did the same for Oveth. They took their place with the rest of the group, Valleth situating himself (as usual) as close to Callistath as could be deemed polite. Good day, radiant Queen.[/color] L'ven rolled his eyes but said nothing to the Weyrlings around him. Hello, pretty Oorth, how are you? Why, my beautiful Vediameth, I trust you are well?[/color] Valleth added separately, of course, to the other females present. L'ven barely suppressed a chuckle. His dragon, forever the flirt.

While Valleth was busy drooling over the ladies, B'nyur began to talk. L'ven withdrew his parchment and thin pencil from his tunic, but B'nyur was not giving them instruction yet, merely introducing himself and giving orders. L'ven put away the items before harnessing Valleth. It was on the verge of being too big, and L'ven put the buckles on the smallest holes, fussing for several more minutes than was necessary over the precise fit. The straps hadn't been used yet, and it would take a few uses before they conformed to the shape of Valleth's body. While he was fiddling with one of the bridge straps, B'nyur came by and passed them. L'ven hastily stopped making minor adjustments-- if the Weyrlingmaster thought they were fine, they were fine.

When his name was called, Valleth took several running steps before launching his bulk into the air. His wings snapped open and, within a few strokes, he was flying easily. All his practice was paying off; he didn't look like a fool in front of the females. The fly seemed too short, and he didn't wish to land yet. He felt as if his wings had barely begun to stretch and loosen. However, Oveth had told them to land now, so land he would. This was the part that was most difficult-- L'ven now began giving him instructions. {Come lower... lower... keep going forward! Now backwing... easy now, back feet first... get your balance... now touch down.} Valleth's expression was one of steely determination, but he was still a clumsy Weyrling, and while he managed to touch down rather lightly with his hind feet, he skittered forward several feet and had to drag his large tail along the ground to help stop himself.

L'ven greeted his dragon with a hearty slap on the shoulder. {You looked good!} Of course I did, Mine, but we need to work on my landing.[/color] That was the end of their exchange; they waited for the rest of the dragons to land and B'nyur to give their next instructions in what appeared to be dignified silence. Only their shining eyes and L'ven's bated breath betrayed the unbounded excitement for the event to come.
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[Kila]

Mine... oh Miiiiiine; Eccolath's voice drifted happily through Sol's mind. We have a lesson today. Oveth and His are in charge- we're finally going to fly! Her voice delicately thrilled Sol into consciousness. The two were laying high up on the cliffs (as close to the sky as possible, as they'd earlier fancied) and enjoying the sun. The air was crisp and slightly chill up so high, but Sol was laid out up against Eccolath's side and, in close proximity, wasn't cold at all. Like all of the Cyan's clutchsiblings, she had grown exponentially and was bigger than her rider. She had grown muscle and filled out some, but she was still slightly petite and very feminine.

Flying? Sol asked, sitting up and blinking away the doze she had been in. B'nyur? It had been an unusually long time since they had had their last Weyrling lesson and the announcement took her by surprise. Yes, Altith's is ill. Come on, Mine, let's go, Eccolath agreed eagerly, her head already spinning with expectations for her first flight.

The pair stopped by their barrack and picked up Eccolath's riding straps before heading out to the lake to join their already assembled fellow Weyrlings. "Hello, B'nyur, Oveth!" Sol chimed, now riled, awake, and excited for flight. It had been on Eccolath's mind since the moment she had hatched and, in effect, on her own. "Long time no see." She greeted the others as she passed by them too- K'ber, Kryllian, Avalle, R'ori, L'ven- and then, "PRATYBA!" Her roommate and best friend was not spared an overenthusiastic greeting. Shouting her name, Sol leapt into the other girl's arms and hugged her like a kid. Eccolath too greeted everyone, dreamily calling out hello as she past them by and sitting by Oorth with her own swirling, excited thoughts as hers fooled around.

Sol relented when B'nyur began to speak and then knelt to put on the riding straps as instructed. She had a little trouble with this, though she dealt with it patiently, because Eccolath preferred to fly without them. It took her a while and a little help to get them up to par with everyone else's, but they were soon in place. Good? You ready, love? Sol asked.

Eccolath purred in agreement. She was. So many thoughts! The clouds, the sky, riding with a wing, breathing flames, falling thread, nighttime, sunshine- everything! Ecco, are you ready? You're flying a lap on your own. Everyone is getting ready to go! Oops! That they were, and Oveth was calling them off! She would have to pay better attention.

The Cyan had no trouble lifting off gracefully after Topeth, and was immediately taken over and exhilarated by the wind beneath her sails. It felt fantastic! Why, flying never got old! Eccolath flew often, having loved to practice ever since she could, and each time was more exciting than the one before. ECCOLATH! Eccolath swerved and narrowly missed the dragon in front of her. Sorry, Mine, my mind was elsewhere; Eccolath apologized, gliding and resuming a safer path. Now is not the time to have your head in the clouds, silly, Sol sighed on the ground. Watch your landing, now.

Eccolath, now more focused, completed her lap and landed with little trouble at all. She was built like a ballerina and touched down nimbly, skipping to a halt a few paces from where she first hit. Mine, did you see me? It was so much fun! she trilled. Of course I saw you! Sol laughed. You almost knocked yourself out of the sky!

[Birdy]

Seiseth’s eyes whirled pleasantly, His was asleep and she looked so peaceful lying there. The black was completely satisfied to watch His looking so relaxed, if she was happy then so was he. Stretching a wing, the black headed towards his stone couch, perhaps he too would sleep… But all good things had to come to an end right? There was a lesson today, and a big one. His had been looking forwards to flying for some time now, but should he really wake her for this? She seemed so peaceful…
Chelomine? the black said softly, peering down at His. Chelomine, please wake up, there’s a lesson today and we’re supposed to go out. Mine is always talking about flying and if we miss this we might never get to, can Mine imagine what that would be like….? Seiseth was rambling, trying to think of anything to get His up. He blinked as His stirred, turning over to stare into the black’s whirling eyes. “Flying…?” she mumbled, and then suddenly sat up. “Why didn’t you say that first Seiseth?” she exclaimed, throwing off the covers and running to get dressed.
Don’t forget the straps Mine, Seiseth reminded His in a pleasant voice, slightly amused as his searched franticly for the straps she had worked so hard on. A yell of triumph announced their discovery, and Chelo held them high like a trophy. She held them under her arm and pushed the door open with her foot.
“Is that all Altith said?” Chelo asked, pausing outside the door. It wasn’t Altith…His is sick so Oveth’s B’nyur, is taking over, the black nudging His forward. Chelo shrugged, it didn’t matter to her who taught it as long as she got to fly with Seiseth.
As soon as the pair arrived at the lake Chelo got to work on the straps. She was rather glad that Seiseth wasn’t as big as some of the other dragons, she barely had to stretch to get the straps in place. Still, the black was definantly no longer small. He was already much taller than she was, though not nearly as big as their roommate’s Brown had grown.
Seiseth waited patiently for his name to be called and, though his wings itched for the sky, he knew that if this was based on rank he would be near the end. When his name was called, Seiseth hesitated for a moment before taking to the sky. It took the black a few seconds to get situated and balanced but he was quickly at ease, following Nektuth around the lake.
Seiseth had never thought much about landing, he always ended up on the ground in the end, but if he was going to have His on his back then he would have to do better. The black’s eyes whirled in concentration as he lowered himself ever so carefully towards the ground. On a few feet more to go…he felt his feet connect with the ground and he quickly spread his wings to balance himself. He’d done it! Mine! he said in an uncharacteristically excited voice. Did CheloMine see? Chelo was already heading towards where the black had landed, “Of course I saw, did you think I was watching someone other than you?”

[jack]

Durian was humming to herself when Mesreath lifted his head, his unusually boxy-jaws working with notable distaste. The girl glanced at the massive creature, still working the last bit of oil into Reggae's gleaming hide, "What's up, Mes?"

The Brown rolled one eye to her and rose slowly, his unusually large size making him loom easily over her and the majority of her room. Oveth's is teaching the lesson today. He rumbled, his voice having become much deeper, and much more restrained as of late. Durian was pleased to say the great Brown had been calming down, his over-protectiveness masked in different manner. The girl smiled cheerfully and rose from her bed, Reggae chirping merrily on her shoulder as she approached the dragon, offering an eye-ridge rub. The Brown was happy to press his heavy head into her arms, eyes closing as she rubbed his face just right, before he straightened suddenly, Durian yelping as she was lifted partially into the air from the sudden move.

She landed on her feet, working for balance for a moment before staring up at the tensed dragon with confusion, “What? What’s wrong?”
You’ll fly with me today! Mesreath barked in reply, eyes whirling with a very rare streak of blue as he looked down at her, shifting his wings impatiently. He’d been waiting for this day longer than Durian had, always uncomfortable when he was forced to leave her side and fly. He made sure to move fast when he did have to, pushing himself further and further each time to build up muscle. The result had been a powerful form, his structure well-built and strong, muscles notable on his already broad form. He was certainly a large creature, not stocky but massive, with good height and width.

“Really?” Durian was at his side in an instant, arms up as he happily thrust his head again into her arms, eyes still whirling as she hugged his nose, grinning broadly, “Let’s get moving, we don’t want to be late for this!”

Mesreath gave a nod of agreement and the duo were off, the heavy brown keeping easy stride with the girl as she bolted along. They arrived right on time, Durian nearly stumbling as she put on the breaks, a quick neck in her way all that kept her on her feet as Mesreath rumbled his disapproval of her recklessness and settled patiently around her.

Together they listened to B’nyur and Oveth, heading off again a few minutes later, riding straps in tow. Mesreath was again wrapped around His when it was his turn to fly, and he gave a grumble of distaste. “It’s the last time you’ll have fly by yourself, Mes.” Durian chirped, patting his shoulder, “Be happy!”

The dragon rumbled back, but straightened, moving a few yards away from His before leaning back onto his haunches and leaping into the air. Great wings pumped powerfully and he surged forwards, passing a couple of his siblings in his haste to return to His’s side.

His landing was shockingly smooth for a beast as immense as he, the muscles he’d worked so hard to build up flexing easily as he stabled his altitude, and delicately set foot on the ground. The simple yet handsome landing, however, was quickly overshadowed by his stampeding rush to Durian, his long body wrapped protectively around her as he resorted to old habits. A long huff of annoyance escaped from his jaws, his eyes whirling that familiar shade of red as he plopped his head next to Durian’s feet, waiting for his ceremonial eye-ridge rub.
“You’re horrible, Mes.”
Mesreath grunted in reply.

---

“R’ori! R’ori!” Late as usual, F’let barged onto the scene with a broad grin, his stereotypical dancewear missing from his form in favor of a more traditional get up. His riding straps were slung over his shoulders, jingling pleasantly with the hundreds of tiny metal hoops he’d painstakingly added—with Doppelith’s encouragement and F’del’s reluctant approval—for the eternal sound of music he thrived on.

The blackette’s eyes were practically glowing as he outright tackled the other boy, giving him a cheerful kiss on the cheek as Doppelith merrily skipped up beside him, eyes whirling happily. The dragonet—sleek and handsome, if still a bit mismatched in the length of his limbs—gave a soft chirp of greeting and lifted his wing, covering the two of them with a playful swirl in his eyes.

Good morning! He trilled, looking at the two humans for a moment, before his attention drifted to Vediameth, You look beautiful today, Vediameth! Mine looks strange—he’s wearing different stuff! But I don’t mind. Today we fly, after all!

He gave the draconic equivalent of a laugh and folded his wings, tilting his head as Oveth spoke. He gave a thoughtful croon and looked to F’let, gently butting the young man in the shoulder with his muzzle, I’ll be right back, Mine! Don’t run off! Laughing merrily he skipped a bit ahead of the group, hiding an over-excited trip with a dramatic flare of his wings and a flick of his long tail. And then he was leaping into the air, showing quite cleanly why he was meant to be in the sky.

It couldn’t be denied that Doppelith was a graceful flier, despite being still young and still learning. He was a shade bit awkward, his wings still too large for his lean body and his legs not quite as long as they would eventually be. Eyes whirling with eternal cheer he playfully chased after the other dragonets, flying in time with Mesreath for a moment before the Brown cut the turn and charged back, leaving Doppelith twisting about playfully.

Content to remain in the air for a beat longer, he ducked into an amateur barrel-roll, forced to tuck his wings in a bit to avoid getting twisted up in them. Giggling in F’let’s mind, he straightened himself a bit shakily, and headed back, landing with a bouncy skip. See, Mine! I told you I could roll!
F’let grinned and skipped over to the cheerful dragonet, wrapping up his nose in a hug. “Who said I doubted you?”

[4horseshowgirl4]

"Good, everybody!" B'nyur said cheerfully as the last of the dragons landed, most of them quite clumsy still, but a few managing a bit of grace, and made their way back to their human counterparts. "All right, so now I want you to take a minute and make sure that your straps didn't loosen during that short flight. If they did, you have a problem, call me over so I can check it out, please, but none of you should." He waited about half a minute while there was a little flurry of activity, the Weyrlings carefully checking that the straps that would, very soon, have to hold them on their dragons high in the air.

"Now, I know you can't wait to get up in the air," he said again, smiling and holding up a hand for quiet. "But I have a few things to tell you all. First, I know all of you have ridden a dragon before, correct? Luckily, you and Yours will not be going so high today, but your dragon is most likely not the most coordinated, as many of you have seen," he continued, grinning at Ripariath and Oorth. "The most important thing you can do to help Yours is simply sit still and not panic, no matter what happens. Simply trust your dragon, and hopefully no one will be falling out of the air. Second, and most important, do not try to go between. If anyone tries to, you will be moved down a Weyrling group. So that means, once another Clutch hatches here, you get to learn the basics all over again while your clutchmates graduate and start flying in an adult wing. Everyone got that?" he said, looking around sternly.

Okay, little ones, or, uh, not-so-little ones!

[/color] Oveth continued as B'nyur finished, addressing both the young dragons and Theirs. Your balance will have to be different with Yours sitting high on your neck, some more than others, of course![/color] he said, rumbling, comparing short, slight Avalle on Callistath's back versus, say, tall, well-muscled K'mar on the smaller Nektuth. It may be harder to get yourself on the ground, keep yourself straight in the air, and land lightly, but just do your best, and tell me or Mine if you've having any trouble right away![/color]

"Okay!" B'nyur said again, clapping his hands together. "Now, the moment you've all been waiting for, where you completely become one with your dragon and... who am I kidding, get on your dragon so I can get you all up in the air, you're probably in no mood to listen to me ramble right now! Those of you who have ridden runners, you mount in much the same way, but you'll probably have to ask your dragon to kneel down so your foot can reach the toehold of your straps. Once you're on, strap yourself in." He walked amongst his temporary charges again, giving leg ups to those that needed them, tightening and adjusting straps where needed. Finally, he approved the last pair, Sol and Eccolath, and he patted Eccolath's shoulder before stepping back.

"Okay, looks like you're all set! Same order as before, please, and cut a shorter path over the lake, instead of around it- I don't think any of you will fall out of the air, but I'd rather you fall into the water than onto the stone ground. Callistath and Avalle, lead us off, please!" As the Weyrlings took off, B'nyur could hardly contain a proud smile. They'd come so far, and it was nice to know that he'd been able to help them, even just for this one lesson. It was too bad poor F'del wasn't here to see it!
[/right][/font]

[Nia]

Avalle hadn't bothered seeking out anyone she knew in order to socialize, she felt that she should at least stand and look dignified or something rather than laughing with friends. Not that she had many friends to begin with, but O'ris was further down the line with his Cyan anyway. She bit her lip slightly at the thought. Mine, you must focus on the lesson,

[/i] came Callistath's rebuke at her wandering thoughts. Yeah, socializing at a Weyrling lesson would distract her anyway, and this was a very important lesson. Besides, she really wanted to fly with Callistath, it had been what she was waiting for ever since she'd Impressed. Callistath had only given a short, dismissive greeting back to Valleth, implying that he should focus on the lesson as well.

The brunette listened intently to B'nyur, making sure she got everything right. She was going to go first, which was a scary thought. A very scary thought, actually. What if she messed up and fell off? Then I will catch you,[/i] Callistath said indignantly, But it would be best if you do not fall off,[/i] the Gold added with a slight draconic chuckle, and Avalle grinned. Maybe Callistath was starting to lighten up a little? She doubted it, but at least the Gold was trying.

It was rather hard for her to adjust the straps, her Gold being a rather large dragon already and Avalle being somewhat short. But she managed with Callistath's help, and made sure nothing had shifted... etc. All that good stuff before the actual flight. She hesitated a bit before climbing up, it would be quite a height when Callistath stood up. You'll be careful, right? she asked with a slight frown, and Callistath shifted her wings in slight annoyance with Hers. Of course I will. Do you not trust me?[/i] Avalle got hit with a wave of emotion that felt like hurt, and she tried to grin widely. O-of course I do! Sorry, that was a stupid question, she quickly said and mounted the large dragon.

Once sure that Avalle was secured, Callistath stood and stretched her wings, preparing to take off when B'nyur gave them the OK. Avalle's heart was pounding nervously, but she narrowed her eyes in determination to, er, not fall off. She'd been focusing so much on the sky ahead that she hadn't noticed B'nyur telling them to go, but Callistath did. Relax,[/i] was all the Gold said before she took off.

Avalle's extra weight wasn't all that big of a deal to Callistath. The girl was thin and light, so her shift in balance wasn't all that great. It was just the rush of adrenaline from the girl that was hard to block out. I told you to relax,[/i] the dragon rumbled in amusement, leading the way over the lake. Suddenly realizing that she had squinted her eyes shut in the rush, Avalle opened them and blinked a few times, her knuckles white from holding on to her dragon. I am relaxed, she pouted, but it didn't last long and she was laughing and smiling brightly. This is amazing! she exclaimed, looking over Callistath and down to the ground. They weren't all that high up, but just the fact that she was flying was an incredible feeling.

Her heart was still pounding loudly, but she wasn't scared anymore. In fact, she was rather sad when it came the time for Callistath to land. Taking much more care than before, Callistath lowered herself slowly to the ground, claws stretched out to stop herself from skidding at all this time in order to make the landing less shakey for Hers. Avalle held on tight and resisted the urge to squint her eyes shut again, but the landing wasn't all that bad. Do you like flying?[/i] Callistath asked as they watched the others land soon after them. Definitely! It's... fun, she finished lamely, waiting to see if B'nyur was going to give them more instructions.[/blockquote][/size]

[4horseshowgirl4]

At B'nyur's word, L'ven assiduously began to check over his riding straps. Everything held strong and was still in place, as expected. Like B'nyur said, if they had slipped or loosened in that short flight, then they couldn't have been done right in the first place. Still, it was nice to fuss himself over a simple activity for a short bit of time, as he was starting to get anxious and apprehensive about the flight in front of him, and it was, not relaxing exactly, but quieting, to have something to do with his hands. Of course, Valleth could hardly help but to pick up on L'ven's nervousness. Are you scared, Mine?

[/color] Valleth said, teasing. {No! I'm nervous in a good way! I've just been looking forward to this for a long time now, and I want it to be time to take off already!} L'ven responded hotly.

Valleth was about to say something soothing, or mocking, L'ven wasn't such which, but he was interrupted as B'nyur began to speak, so L'ven withdrew the paper and pen from his tunic. However, their substitute did not say much, so L'ven only had time to jot down a few notes about balance and betweening before it was time to go! He shoved his notes impatiently into his tunic before striding over to Valleth (who graciously knelt down so L'ven had a chance of reaching the toehold). L'ven eyed his straps for a moment, a little unsure how exactly he was supposed to get up on Valleth's back. Even with the Bronze's chest touching the stone ground, the place where L'ven was to sit was still several inches above his own head, and the toehold only reached down to his elbow.

Hurry up! Avalle is already on, and Callistath's bigger than I am! Just get on![/color] Valleth said impatiently, shifting his weight in his eagerness to get back to the sky. L'ven said nothing but swung his left leg as far as it would go, his foot just catching the toehold. His hamstrings screamed in protest (L'ven was not the most flexible of people), and L'ven jumped with his right leg, hands scrabbling for a hold on the straps. To his great dismay, he felt the leather slipping from his fingers, and he was falling backwards, his foot still stubbornly clinging to the toehold, before that, too, came free...

THUD. L'ven's shoulders hit the ground first as he fell flat on his back, but his head soon followed, hitting the stone with a nasty crack. His eyes swam with tears but he would not cry out in pain. After laying there for a few seconds, L'ven gingerly got to his feet, blushing furiously. He was not seriously hurt, but he could feel his head throbbing where there would undoubtedly be a good-sized lump later. Valleth rumbled in draconic laughter. {Oh, shut up! This is your fault!} L'ven snarled in his mind, grabbing one of the riding straps again as he reassessed how he was supposed to get on Valleth. My fault, Mine?[/color] Valleth said incredulously, ceasing his rumbling but still quite amused nonetheless.

L'ven fumed but didn't reply. He grabbed one of the extra straps for cargo or extra passengers, untied it from its position near the back, and looped it through the toehold to make a second, lower one, and tied it securely. Right foot through the loop, left foot in the toehold, and he was on! {How the shells do 'Riders get on their dragons without straps?} L'ven thought, thinking about what sort of impressive running leap he'd have to make to get on a fully-grown Valleth like that. Well, Mine, I assume most of them have more exciting things to do than study all day,[/color] Valleth responded, quite enjoying teasing His as L'ven strapped himself on.

The second Detritath pushed himself into the air, Valleth followed, rocking back on his haunches before springing lightly into the sky, L'ven's weight straining his barely-warmed muscles only slightly before he rebalanced himself. Valleth was not as smooth of a flyer as the other dragons L'ven had ridden, with more up-and-down and back-and-forth motion as he figured how to make his muscles work together, a characteristic L'ven attributed to the dragon's youth and inexperience. Still, there was no denying the raw strength and energy of the dragon, and L'ven wanted to cry out for joy, his throbbing head and sore shoulder completely forgotten. He lifted his chin, letting the wind whip past his face.

All too soon, it was time to land. L'ven leaned back in his straps, trying to help the big Bronze shift his weight hindward. Valleth was careful to slow down almost to a standstill before touching down. A hind foot touched first and gripped the stone with its claws as Valleth backwinged furiously, determined not to skid forward like he had last time, but landed heavily on his front end, jolting L'ven, his straps keeping him from bouncing off Valleth's back. {Good! Just bend your knees next time to take the impact.} L'ven said bossily, but unable to wipe the grin off of his face. How about, thank you, mighty Valleth, for allowing me to ride you, and please excuse my horrible balance that would have undoubtedly caused me to fall off had I not been strapped in like the Weyrling I am?[/color] Valleth reprimanded, copying L'ven's imperious tone, but it was obvious that he, too, was undeniably happy. L'ven blushed again, more faintly this time, before slapping Valleth with both admonishment and affection.
[/right][/font]

[Nia]

R'ori had stopped looking for F'let after a while and watched the others around him prepare for the lesson. So when F'let came up yelling his name and tackling him, nearly knocking the black-haired boy off balance. But R'ori was nearly used to this and F'let's other eccentricities, so he was able to remain standing. Thank Faranth, it would not be good if they were to collapse in an awkward, embarrassing heap in the middle of the Weyrling Lesson. Yeah, that definitely wouldn't be good for anyone, especially not R'ori... though he didn't doubt F'let's ability to laugh off situations like that.

However, the kiss on the cheek was extremely unexpected, and caused R'ori to blush profoundly, unable to make eye-contact with anyone (no one was even looking their way, but in R'ori's mind they were) and instead stuttered incomprehensively and finally manage a, "H-hi, F'let." He had tried to keep the embarrassed stutter out of his voice, but obviously that hadn't worked out in his favor.

Vediameth gave an airy, draconic chuckle at Doppelith's greeting, he was quite excited... but then again, so was she. You do as well, and I think the change looks good on Yours,

[/i] she said smartly, moving her head to get a better look at F'let in a more traditional wear. R'ori was rather grateful as he and F'let went their seperate ways to go meet their landing dragons.

He listened carefully to B'nyur's next instructions nodding subconsciously as he listened. Okay, he could do this. Vediameth watched him as he approached the straps but didn't get up. Are you waiting for something?[/i] She asked curiously, tilting her head around. Uh, it's just, you know, that Bronzerider fell so... he said, with a slightly nervous laugh. He'd watched L'ven fall flat on his butt after trying to get up, and he was now trying to figure out the best way to climb up on to Vediameth without suffering the same humiliation. Eventually, after noticing that most every had already gotten up, he dug his foot into the toehold and swung up with little difficulty. Vediameth was a small dragon, so that was probably to be expected... but R'ori didn't feel like humiliating himself in front of everyone again.

Lost in his thoughts, he was taken by surprise as Callistath and Avalle took off, the large Gold dwarfing his Vediameth by... well, a lot. Don't be scared,[/i] Vediameth said with a hint of taunt in her voice, as though teasing him. I'm not. Just go, it's almost our turn, R'ori responded and Vediameth jumped up to join her siblings in the sky.

R'ori's eyes were wide as he felt the wind whip past his face. Vediameth wasn't going all that fast, but it was still exhillerating. He was mostly silent through the fly around the lake, his grip loosening the longer they were in the sky. His heart had slowed down to a more relaxed pace, and by the time they were ready to land R'ori felt perfectly comfortable flying. The landing wasn't all that bad. Vediameth was a careful dragon by nature, and she was getting better at landing. It was a bit shakey and she skid a bit, but R'ori hopped of Vediameth perfectly in one piece. Hmph, I don't see what the big deal was about this, it was easy, he said with a small grin, patting Vediameth's neck. She merely gave one of her light chuckles in response.[/blockquote][/size]

[Birdy]

Chelo grinned, listening to B'ynur's words, she'd been looking forward to this! And as they were near last, she didn't have to hurry to check the straps. Everything had to be perfect for their first flight right? Seiseth was watching her with whirling eyes, Does Mine think I would drop her? the black asked. Mine doesn't need to check every little thing again and again.

"Well now I'm done," Chelo said, stepping back to admire her handiwork. "You look quite handsome Seiseth." Now came the tricky part, getting on to her pretty black. She'd seen others, others with bigger dragons, fail but determined that with Seieth's size it wouldn't be as much trouble. Chelo took a step back placing a foot in the toehold and jumped up, and landing somewhat gracefully in the seat.

Good job, Seiseth said, as the girl tightened the straps. "Let's go!" she said after Seiseth was called. The black took a few steps forward getting used to the new weight on his back and in an unexpected burst of strength launched himself into the air. As before it took the black a few seconds to steady himself in the air, but he evened out and was soon flying over the glossy surface of the lake.

Mine can look now, the black said calmly. Chelo, who had been holding the straps in a death grip for the entire takeoff, slowly opened her eyes. "This is amazing!" were the first words out of Chelo's mouth when she looked over the black's shoulder. Seiseth rumbled happily, It is, I'm glad you're here. The dragon tilted his wings slightly to turn around and they were quickly at the end of their flight. Seiseth slid lightly to a halt, with much more grace then he'd managed before.

"It's because I'm here isn't it?" Chelo asked, gently scratching Seiseth's eyeridges. The black blinked, Yes, and because the extra weight make it easier to get to the ground, Seiseth said with a hearty rumble.

[kyrillion]

A brief examination of the riding straps revealed that they had indeed stayed in place during Ripariath's short flight. The pair listened intently to B'nyur, and while there was no outward indication that they were anything but calm and composed, they were every bit as excited for this momentous occasion as their fellow weyrlings. When the dragonhealer gave the command, Kyril was quick to turn to her blue, who was already crouching down to make it easier for her to climb onto his back. Though he was on the larger side for his color, he wasn't by any means a big dragon, and it was a simple matter for Kyril to vault up and settle behind his neck. She made short work of strapping herself in, and the pair waited eagerly for their turn. It wasn't long before they were watching Teccaracath and G'can take their first flight, and she could feel Ripariath's anticipation as acutely as he could sense hers.

Ready, Mine?
Absolutely! And, percieving that the blue was a bit nervous, You'll do fine, Rip. I trust you.

Eyes whirling a happy green, he spread his wings and crouched, and a moment later launched himself and his rider into the air. The blue was taking this flight far more seriously than the last; after all, his rider was with him now. Bringing his wings down in one, powerful stroke, he lifted them high above the lake and evened out into a smooth, leisurely glide. His rider's weight, though slight, was a good counter-balance, and it was somehow easier to fly when she was with him.

Kyril's heart was hammering, not with fear but with excitement. As she looked out at the Weyr below, she relished the sensation of the wind billowing around her and the pure, unbridled elation of flight. She had first flown with Noyth and A'mor after being Searched, months ago now, and though she had enjoyed that experience immensely it simply could not compare to riding one's own dragon. Grinning with abandon, she leaned forward slightly so that she was more balanced, and settled in to enjoy the ride.

Faster, Rip. If that's all right?
The blue, who had set a leisurely pace at first, rumbled in amusement. Pulling his wings in, he angled slightly downward to pick up some speed, evening out only when they were nearing the surface of the lake. The scenery blurred around them, and it was all Kyril could do to keep from shouting her exhilaration. All too soon, they had reached the far shore, and her dragon was angling his wings to gradually slow their descent. He was determined, this time, to perfect his landing. It just wouldn't do to skid or bounce or anything of the sort while His was on his back! Keeping this in mind, he waited until he was close to the ground before backwinging powerfully, easing himself down gently until all four feet found purchase in the grass. Kyril, a bit put out that the flight was over so soon, nevertheless reached a hand up and patted his neck affectionately.

That was excellent!
I must work on landing that way all of the time. Rip's tone was bright with amusement, and he was every bit as happy with the first flight as his rider.

[Admin]

You had and lost the one thing,
You kept in a safe place,
Remember the face.

At the healer's reminder, K'ber rechecked his riding straps. They still fit snugly against the muscular form of Detritath. He ran his fingers lightly over them, then turned sharply back to his square shouldered, at ease position beside the standing iron. Anxiousness and nervousness began to swirl in his gut as they were reminded that they should not even try to go between, but Detritath didn't let it rise. His even, apathetic presence brushed against the weyrling's conscious, settling all nerves with firm resolution. It would be fine. He would not let K'ber fall. He would ride well and properly. All of those butterflies were replaced with a firm resolve, the sort of thing that his dragon did everything with. He was changing. They fed of each other. He stood a little bit taller, even taller than the straight manner he'd had before. He was a honored dragonrider!

When all the weyrlings mounted up, Detritath knelt. K'ber got on with considerably more ease than most of the others, except for maybe Anima on tiny Zucherroth and some of the blackriders and pinkriders with their little dragons. His iron wasn't the largest of his kind, only about Valleth's size at that point, but he was still big, so he thought it was to his credit that he leaped and hauled himself up with just a moment's consideration of how to go about the problem of doing so. Considering he could launch almost his entire body out of the water from a treading position, it would have been a bit shameful for him to not have been able. He settled easily too, wiggling his butt, unlike some. Not that he had to suppress a smile at L'ven falling off or anything. Detritath eyed the other King pair at his rider's amusement, but went about stretching his wings.

As soon as Callistath was in the air, he surged upwards, with Valleth in his wake and quickly forgotten by both of them. K'ber clung to him, as his powerful wing sweeps rocked his body gently, for a moment, mouth wide open and eyes wider. Then he let out a single 'whoop' raising one arm over his hand, while he gripped the straps in his other. His eyes only narrowed because of the light whips of wind that dug at them. He was not scared of the height as they brushed out, wide to the side of the young Queen who led their ragged line as before, over the water of the lake. If he fell, he would live. It wouldn't be any worse than an awkward belly flop of a cliff dive. And Detritath wouldn't let him fall. He wouldn't fall. Even in the imperfect flight, he felt more out home on the back off the iron than he ever had even in the water. There was infinite trust between them.

They looped around, with K'ber calming to just a small, flushed smile, back to hoping his cry had been lost in the wind, and Detritath dipped in for the landing. He took extra care. He was bent on doing it perfectly, because he was doing it. Of course, it wasn't, but he did it better. Without a word, his rider silently encouraged and checked him. He dropped with a thud, lurching K'ber who managed to hold on, but he didn't have to take any steps and it didn't physically hurt. He knelt with dignified pride, so that the exhilarated ex-dolphineer could slip from his back safely, before he straightened. As he got used to be being back on land, even after that short visit to the sky, K'ber reached out and rested one hand on the iron's shoulder. It said 'thank you' and 'love you' without saying either. Detritath returned it, in his cool manner.

The tide breaks,
You watch the stars fade,
They gather you back to their home.

[4horseshowgirl4]

As the last of the group landed from the short flight, all suppressing elated grins, B'nyur stepped forward once again to wrap the lesson up. It had been a fairly successful endeavor; while he wasn't convinced that he was the best teacher that was, these Weyrlings had already been pretty well-trained, and everyone had managed to fly, and fairly well, at that! Other than L'ven's fall, no one had gotten hurt, and it seemed that the Bronzeweyrling would suffer nothing more than an aching head.

Oveth crooned praise to the group, feeding off of the general sense of happiness and accomplishment. He had not had much interaction with the Weyrlings since the Hatching, and it was quite impressive to him to see how much they had all grown and developed. Far from looking like clumsy, awkward dragonets, they now appeared like slightly smaller versions of the adults: soon they'd be a real part of the Weyr! He wondered which of them would be in the wing with him and B'nyur.

"Excellent, everybody! You would make F'del proud. Just a few more things until I dismiss you. First, you all will be starting wing work very soon now that you have learned how to fly... or are learning how to fly, rather! I don't think you'd be very effective fighting Thread with your eyes closed," he said, winking at Avalle. "Anyway, F'del has given me a wing listing. You'll be in an all-Weyrling wing until you graduate, the Skyline Wing. It's a low-altitude wing, with the Queen's Horizon Wing. If Thread were to come, this means that you would be mainly responsible for getting the mere remnants that the upper wings don't destroy. I know some of you are itching to do some real fighting, but it's still an important job, nonetheless. F'del is your Wingleader, naturally, and Avalle and L'ven have been appointed Wingseconds. The rest of you are the Wingriders."

He paused for a moment to stow the wing listing back into his tunic. He'd pin it up in the barracks later. Oh, that reminded him. "And now that you are airborne, you will be moving out of the Weyrling Barracks into your own weyrs very soon. Fajra handles the weyr assignments, so she will probably be in contact with you. So, those of you whose belongings are rather scattered all over the place, you may want to start gathering them up," he added with a jovial smile.

"One last thing, and then you can go. I'd prefer for you all to get some more practice under your belts before you start flying on your own, so I'll be holding supervised practice sessions here every day for the next sevenday, for a candlemark after both morning and evening chores. After that, you can make short excursions in groups and with either my or F'del's permission outside of the Weyr, but, again, do not try to go between. Fly with riding straps on, always. I'd like everyone to get through graduatation with no broken bones or cracked skulls! Most of us older 'Riders do travel without straps-- don't follow our example yet. I think that's it... congratulations, everybody!"

With that, B'nyur waved his hand, dismissing the group, but staying where he was in case anyone had a question. He'd hoped he'd been straightforward enough, but it had been so long since he had learned all of this himself. After sticking around for a few minutes, he and Oveth turned tail back to the infirmary to check on their ailing patient.

[/font]

[Admin]

I went flying outta my window,
I went flying outta my window,
Been caught doin it once or twice,
But it feels so real nice.

Detritath shifted his weight slightly as Oveth praised them with a croon, straightening himself up subtly so he could stand all the taller and tower over all but Callistath, Valleth, and Mesreath. K'ber straightened with him, pulling a step or so away from the iron to give him a bit of space, so that they both just seemed to get a bit taller in the same moment. He was still smiling, eyes shining from behind bits of hair that had fallen in his face. His breath came evenly only from having sheer years of experience with controlling it. In his chest, his heart beat out a quick, loud rhythm. Flying with his dragon hadn't been anything like how it had been before, and it hadn't just been because the motions hadn't seemed quite so effortless or because they hadn't gone so high. The feeling of it was something that would course in him for the rest of the day.

K'ber actually almost felt like laughing, which was out of character for him as he wasn't one to do something that made so much noise very often, when B'nyur poked fun at Avalle for having her eyes closed. He listened intently as the healer explained about how they were being assigned into a wing for weyrlings. In his mind, he tried to remember the date. How long had it been since Detritath had hatched? Nine months? It had been fall then, he could remember it clearly. It was summer; he would always remember that it had been summer when he'd first ridden Detritath. So, yes, that was right, which meant . . . There was still five turns or so until thread would fall. No danger of them fighting it as weyrlings. Not unless any of them did really bad. His smile quirked. He memorized who would be in charge of the wing - F'del, and Avalle, and . . .

L'ven? Indignation shot through him for one instance at the name. His eyes widened. But then he remembered himself, and the disbelief that he hadn't been appointed as a wingsecond faded and flickered away. Detritath hadn't twitched a muscle at it, and was still absorbing all the words B'nyur was speaking, about them getting weyrs and practices. K'ber, however, didn't notice that their teacher's strong voice grew distant to him. Were he and Detritath not good enough? Detritath seemed fine to him. More than fine to him! Was he not good enough? Maybe he really was too shy? But he'd thought he had been getting better! Worries ran through his head at a racing speed, but then he managed to calm himself before his dragon even had to interfere. Valleth was a King, just as much as Detritath was, even if bronzes were usually smaller. It was normal.

Placated by this thought and the lesson over, he moved to remove Detritath from the riding straps. The iron took a single, solid step back. No, leave them; he said, with the faint traces of a dragon's mental smile. Pausing for a moment, K'ber grinned a big old smile. He took a big, solid step of his own, and reached out to give the young King a pat on the shoulder, like a happy child awkwardly petting a runner (or dolphin, being the example that would immediately come to his mind). But he was a dragonrider, one of the few and proud! Even if he was still a weyrling, he knew that to be true. He was, after all, a wingrider, even if he wasn't a wingsecond and even if it was only in the wing for the weyrlings. F'del was flying as their wingleader, and he was certainly a true dragonrider! He turned and the pair of them marched off.

Sent me flying out of his window,
Not caught once, not caught twice,
And I've been flying ever since,
And I've been flying in the sky.

[kia]

Come on, Mine! We are going to be late. And you know how I hate being late. That is very undignified for a Cyan and her Rider like us, Rhyolith said, grabbing the end of her Mine`s shirt and pulling him out of the barracks. O`ris was caught unaware by his Cyan`s sudden interest in the Weyrling Lessons. Then again, ever since their first lesson, Rhyolith always paid careful attention. O`ris was amazing at his Cyan`s thought process and how straight it seemed. He almost thought that since she was fighting rank dragon that eventually it would catch up to her and become a little less thoughtful about things. But, she never slowed down. Since she had been growing, he goals had begun to grow. She was becoming even more increasingly revolved around him, pushing him to be more social, pushing him to learn more than he needed, pushing him to go beyond what he was capable of to becoming something even more. Rhyolith had a plan. He could see it in the way she talked and the way she looked at things. She even included Lira in her plans, lately taking more interest in the Green and helping Lira become a better Fire Lizard.

But, for now, O`ris was being dragged out of the barracks and out for lessons. He almost fell to the ground if he hadn`t been running to keep up with his dragon. Once they were outside, O`ris dusted his shirt off and straightened it out. Then, Rhy told him she was to take a lap with Callistath. O`ris smiled and watched as his dragon took her Flight with the rest of the dragons. She was magnificent. She landed again, near him, a bit clumsy, but still with grace. And then, the time came for him to get on top of her. He was excited. Luckily, she was a smaller medium-size dragon, so she did not have to lean down too far. He got on and strapped himself in. After being checked over, he rose into the air, Gneith and hers following them. It was a rush! It was amazing! And he held onto her tightly, not sure how to take in this rush.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Lynx felt something nudging her. She flipped over and moaned. "Just a little longer," she moaned, not wanting to move from her warm blankets. She was having a good dream. She was running in a field and she looked up. She saw her old friend in the distance, and Gneith was flying above her. She really wanted to show Gneith and Pretty off to her friend. She had lost track with him after all these years, and suddenly he was here. Then it got cold. Really cold.

Lynx`s eyes popped open. Her roommate was gone. She looked around and saw Gneith sitting on top of her furs. Lynx was, at first, angry until Gneith spoke up. Weyrling lessons, Mine, she spoke. Lynx muttered a curse under her breath and got up, dressing quickly and running outside with her Green and Pink Fire Lizard in tow. Then came the request for the dragons to take a small lap around the lake. She watched Gneith follow behind Rhyolith. She was proud of her dragon. But when her dragon landed, the Green was very clumsy. More clumsy than the Cyan in front of her. But Lynx topped lots of praises on her Green to make Gneith feel better.

Now it came her turn to ride on Gneith`s back. Lynx was slightly nervous at first. This was the first time she had ever been nervous. But, as soon as they were given the all clear, Genith followed behind Rhyolith again. Unlike O`ris, who held onto Rhyolith as she rose, she enjoyed the rush and feeling of flying. She always dreamed she was flying when she ran in the fields. Now she was actually flying. She laughed, and her laugh was pure and clean, almost how a slight beautiful ring to it. It was interesting because she rarely laughed. But she was laughing now. "Gneith, we`re doing it! We are actually flying, you and me together!" she said out loud.

[jack]

A bit slower than the others--as Mesreath wanted to do a thorough check of the riding straps as well as himself to make sure he was secure enough for His--Durian clambored onto the Brown's neck with relative ease, making certain that she too was secure before peering at him with aw-filled eyes. His neck flexed gently beneath her as he stood to a more proper height, taking in a good long breath of the air. Just as Durian was in awe of the creature below her, he too was in mild awe, relaxed and soothed to know that His was finally where he could truly defend her. So long as she was on his back, he could guard her without worry, keeping her in the safest place he could.

He stretched out slightly, flexing his wings, and Durian bit her lip, eyes gleaming with cheer. "Alright, Mes.." She whispered at last, double-checking the riding straps and running a hand lovingly down his broad neck, "Let's...let's fly."
Mesreath nodded, his eyes whirling with a rare shade of blue before they faded back to the permanent red and he leaned gently back onto his haunches. He leapt into the air with a powerful flex of his legs, wings snapping open and pumping to send him into the sky.
Durian grinned, broad and wide, and flexed her fingers against the riding straps, lifting her face into the sky and feeling the wind against her face. A laugh bubbled up from her throat and she turned her attention to the massive beast beneath her, who rolled one eye up at her. "This is...incredible, Mes!"
The dragon's chest swelled with pride and he let loose a soft roar, challenging to air itself to take away this perfect moment. It didn't, and he landed with a loud thud, resisting the urge to shake himself in pleasure until Durian slid from his back.

The duo stuck around until after B'nyur had spoken, Durian's eyes shining with happy glee and even Mesreath seemed to be content. Finished with the lesson for the day, Durian dipped her head to B'nyur, waving, and with Mes in tow, skipped off to hunt out R'ish and Gyth.

--

Quicker than the Brown pair, but slower than most, F'let was on the Purple the moment he'd returned, rubbing his neck playfully as he procrastinated strapping himself in. He was a very well balanced individual, and really didn't want to do so in the first place! But, as F'let was a good boy for the most part, he did eventually get himself set and secure, Doppelith wiggling like a clumsy worm beneath him.
Are you ready, Mine?
F'let didn't respond at first--finishing up the last adjustments--but did so at last with a grin, eyes shining. "Ready!"
The Purple gave a cheerful trill and bounced into the air, spiraling upwards with a bit more energy than was really required. F'let held on with a laugh, his eyes wide enough to whirl as the dragon levelled out and glided, laughing outloud.
You're kinda heavy, Mine!
F'let laughed in reply, rubbing the Purple's hide, and Doppelith's eyes whirled with glee.

When his wings began to ache--he had been doing such wonderfully difficult tricks!--Doppelith headed for the earth, gliding slowly down and landing with a stumble. F'let toppled off at the dragon's less-than-graceful landing, but rolled to safety easily, leaping to his feet with the training of a dancer. The blackette laughed and danced to Doppelith's side, clinging to the Purple's legs. "That was fun, Doppelith!"

B'nyur's final explanation fell on semi-deaf ears, the duo too busy talking to one another about the short flight--in and out of their minds--to really catch most of it. But they would talk to someone and figure out what they'd missed later. All that mattered was that they were freee to go now, and that they had things to do! So the Purplepair trotted off to R'ori and Vediameth, F'let tackling the boy cheerfully. "Wasn't that fun?"

[Kila]

It was no surprise that Sol and Eccolath were the last cleared for flight. B'nyur came around and stopped to patiently help them with Eccolath's straps. "Thanks," Sol beamed, and hopped onto her bonded, unabashed by the fact that they were the last to be ready to go. The pair had far more important things to focus on- like finally being alight.

It was a strange sensation for both to take off in line together, Sol because she had never been on the back of her Own, Eccolath because she had never had Hers on her back. United as one in the sky gave them a kind of light-headed feeling, and they soared easily and giddily around the lake. Sol could see why Eccolath had gotten distracted and veered off, but she made sure that this time they kept on track. Again Eccolath landed with little trouble, and they could barely contain their excitement at their successful endeavor. They giggled and squirmed as B'nyur said his proud closing words and then were off like a streak- eager to relish in their own natural high.